Don’t Tell Summer’s Greece Guide: Andros, Greece

Friday // May 22 // 2026

Andros has been on my radar since 2021 when I lived in Amsterdam. Sometimes you don’t know why you go somewhere at a certain time in your life, but last summer proved that it’s exactly when you’re meant to.

I think what I wasn’t expecting was how green it was. How quiet. Lush mountains tumbling down to the sea. The flowers were amazing, a completely different flora and fauna to anything I’d experienced on the other islands. Andros is the type of place that doesn’t reveal itself all at once. It builds, and grows as your circadian rhythm slows down to its pattern. It’s the kind of island that makes you feel like you found something special.

I didn’t want to leave.

We took a day trip to another island while we were there, and it was in arriving back on the ferry to Andros that it really hit us. There is a deeper calmness to this island than anywhere I’ve been. You don’t fully notice it until you leave and come back, and then you feel it in your whole body.

I arrived not knowing a single restaurant or shop on the island. We asked locals, looked at guides, and came across the most incredible gems. Everything in this guide was found during my mom and I’s two week adventure in Andros.

Ferry to Andros

Ferry from Rafina, not Piraeus, which is worth knowing before you plan. Rafina is about 30 minutes from Athens airport, and the crossing takes around two hours. (I love Golden Star Ferries and find it to be comfortable. I like to scope out a table seat next to the cafe).

Where to Stay

Aneroussa Beach Hotel — Batsi

Aneroussa is magic itself. Perched above a private beach with the most beautiful views over the ocean, it has an energy that’s hard to put into words. You just feel it the moment you arrive. We selected it not knowing much, and loved it so much we ended up staying for ten days. Efi and the team make you feel like old friends immediately. It genuinely feels like home. We kept saying we’d leave and then didn’t.

The rooms are so comfortable, and falling asleep to the sound of the ocean every night is something I’ll carry with me for a long time. Down at the private beach there’s a little beach bar with the coziest chairs; the kind you sink into and suddenly an hour has passed. There is a calmness to this place that resets your nervous system. This is somewhere we will be coming back to again and again. We kept saying that if Aneroussa was the only thing we experienced on Andros, it would be enough to keep coming back. If you go to Andros, stay here. Book direct.

Gavrio

Most people arrive in Gavrio and keep moving. Don’t.

It’s worth wandering around and soaking it in before you head further into the island. I found a clothing store here that I loved, Maéve Clothing, and went back multiple times. A year later I’m still wearing a shirt I bought there at least two days a week. That’s the best review I can give.

If you’re hungry, make the drive out to Kossis. I didn’t make it there this trip, but every single local we spoke to brought it up. A legendary family-run farm taverna just outside of town in Ano Fellos, famous for its meat, where the owner raises his own animals and grows his own vegetables. It’s first on our list for next time.

Batsi

I could sit and watch the world, and the boats, go by all day in Batsi. The evenings are when it really comes alive. Families having dinner by the water, a sunset drink at the harbour, kids getting ice cream. There is something so genuinely lovely about it. By the third night we were recognizing regulars, even a little Jack Russell that reminded us of our pup back home.

Agia Taverna — Right near Aneroussa, a family-run local taverna next to the water. We went our first night on the island and watched the sun go down over the ocean with the best tzatziki and stuffed peppers I’ve ever had. We went back too many times to count. That first evening set the tone for the whole trip.

Capriccio — The spot for a sunset cocktail in Batsi. It’s set right above the bay with cool aesthetics. It’s been the go-to bar on the island and you can feel why.

Almi Tavern — The best view of Batsi, hands down. The whole bay spread out in front of you while you eat. The appetizers are insane; the feta with honey and the tzatziki alone are worth coming for. We went so many times that they started ordering gluten free pasta for us. That’s when you know you’ve found your place. You can’t go to Andros without going to Almi.

Branda — Don’t leave Batsi without eating here. The mushroom risotto is incredible and they can make it gluten free, which I always appreciate. The wine selection was lovely, and the appetizers were delicious. I loved the aesthetic of Branda as well. It really made you feel like you were in somewhere special.

Oti Kalo — Up high with a lovely view over the Batsi port. The kind of spot where you order something simple and end up staying for the sunset. We loved all of their appetizers and went back frequently.

Mastello — Right on the water in Batsi, a seafood restaurant that takes its ingredients seriously. Locally sourced from Cycladic producers. I didn’t get a chance to go here this trip, and I’m excited to visit it next time.

Zorkos Beach

To get to Zorkos you take a winding, cliffy drive that requires a confident driver. It’s narrow and dramatic and not for the faint-hearted. You come around the bend and there it is: a completely secluded beach with the most crystal blue water. We kept receiving this recommendation from locals and glad we went on the adventure.

Chora

Chora is the capital of Andros and has adorable shops, tasty coffee, and restaurants that will make you stay there from sunrise to sundown. It was a bit of a drive from Batsi, and so you’ll definitely need a car.

Zairis — The best bakery on the island, and worth the drive from Batsi just for the gluten-free almond cookies alone. Pick up a box. You’ll be glad you did.

Ta Skalakia — I haven’t been yet but it is top on my list. A traditional family taverna tucked down the steps just off the main pedestrian street, full of vintage signs and local memorabilia.

Waikiki — The best shop in Chora. Beautiful dresses, everything merchandised so well. The kind of store you walk into for five minutes and come out an hour later. If you’re in Chora, don’t skip it. My mom found a beautiful flowy dress.

Birki — The best coffee I had on the island. Get the iced oat latte. It’s set in a beautiful building in Chora and the people watching is incredible. Locals and visitors chill out in chairs at the front, catching up with friends in that relaxed Greek way.

This trip was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had. It felt like it was just the beginning of a story with a place. To be continued.

Olivia x

More from Greece: Paros · Milos

All photos were taken on 35mm film.

Studio of Dreams: Roll Ups Pilates Studio in Portland, Oregon

Thursday // April 10 // 2025

Seeing someone bring their dream to fruition has to be one of the greatest ways that magic shows up in every day life.

Elizabeth Sylvain and I met as freshman and sophomores in college down in Orange County. Going on to our unique paths to pursue the ski mountains in Utah, and beach-bum lifestyle in Australia, we circled back a decade later after landing in the same town; Portland, Oregon.

We told stories of our lives over the years, recounting memories from Elizabeth’s time in New York, and my time traveling around Europe. Not soon after, we started talking about dreams. Elizabeth’s eyes lit up when she spoke about an idea for a Pilates studio; something unique. It was going to be a place where community can come together, in an elegant yet down to earth space, while having quality workouts and in-depth teachings.

For some the dream stops with the vision, but for Elizabeth it was only the beginning. For the next two years, she put everything into building Roll Ups, now located in NE Portland next to the beloved Duality.

Last Thursday Elizabeth brought together her friends, family, and community for the grand opening. Whether you book in a class during your next visit to Portland, or are thinking about starting your own dream – let Elizabeth serve as your reminder that if you take the leap and believe in your idea, it’s possible.

Olivia x

Don’t Tell Summer’s Travel Guide: Amsterdam

Wednesday // April 17 // 2024

You know those places that you visit and instantly feel at home? That’s how I felt when I went on a solo trip to Amsterdam in 2019. It was a last minute booking, and while I always wanted to explore it, I didn’t have many expectations. I think because I went alone, I saw it filtered through my eyes. Every cafe, boutique and lantern-lit street felt like it could be home. I went back for a second trip a couple months later, and realized that it’s possible to live there. I instantly fell in love with the idea – the cozy (gezellig) culture, open-mindedness, and adorable canals.

In 2021, I followed my dream and called Amsterdam home.

I am often asked where to go in Amsterdam, and so I crafted a little guide for your Dutch adventure. Keeping in mind that I am in love with coffee, a lot of my recs include bespoke roasters and concept spaces that serve tasty treats, delicious coffee, and genuinely good vibes.

Where to Stay

Jordaan is my favorite place in Amsterdam. I was lucky enough to call it home, and the walkability is incredible. You can spend hours walking along de 9 Straatjese in Jordaan (boutiques, cafes, restaurants, all around the canals).

1.B&B La Festa

Solo travelers, I really enjoyed this spot. I stayed here the first time I ever went to Amsterdam, for about 10 days, and absolutely loved the location and the cozy attention to detail.

2.The Hoxton

The restaurant is amazing and there are other international creatives and travelers who frequent the space. Downstairs feels like a mix between a bar, restaurant, and co-working space.

3.The Dylan

I haven’t stayed at The Dylan, but the location is incredible, the brunch is good and there is a dreamy courtyard that feels like quintessential Amsterdam.

4.Airbnb

While there isn’t an abundance of Airbnbs in the area, I have been able to find a few spots when booking in advance.

Coffee

As many of you know, coffee is my favorite way to explore a new city. Amsterdam is full of bespoke places, often combining different concepts together, such as a cafe and home shop. Here are a few of my favorite places:

A home away from home in Andros, Greece: Allegra Pomilio – Mèlisses’

Monday // February 26 // 2024

When most Founders set out to start a business, they may think of the strategy, business and marketing plans, and how everything will look on paper. But this isn’t a story about a business, it’s a story about a calling. A home.

Allegra, Italian, grew up sailing around the Greek islands with her family on her Uncle’s boat, Gaia. Her first time in Andros was by coincidence. A friend of a friend recommended it to her and her family, and they decided to go and explore. They fell in love with a plot of land right by the water. There was a structure that was about 20% developed on the plot, and her family decided to listen-to-their-gut and purchase it.

After the land was purchased, they started a family project where Allegra’s father worked on the exterior, her mother on the interior, and Allegra devoted to cooking, sourcing antiques, and photography.

Mèlisses’ was born. A home away from home.

Mèlisses’ is a unique sea front accommodation on the island of Andros, Greece. It features intimate retreats, boutique events, and small celebrations. Initially, it was a venue for weddings and events, but then they received a message from a couple asking if it was open for bookings. That was the first time that Allegra’s eyes were open to the fact that they could have guests at Mèlisses’.

Mèlisses’ was never about being a hotel, and it still isn’t to this day; it’s a home. A home for like-minded travelers, creatives, artists, wanders, and multi-generations.

Conscious, sustainable living and travel is important to Allegra, and she doesn’t advertise Mèlisses’ as an accommodation. Mèlisses’, and Andros, is all about the beauty of the simple things. I haven’t been to Andros yet, but from an outsider’s perspective it looks like a true reflection of the island, flora and fauna, and the essence of the laid-back lifestyle. There is an array of curated retreats ranging from cooking to painting that are hosted each year. The retreats are all about seeing the island through the artists’ eyes.

Allegra also loves to show the beauty of the island through her photography and the people; “The fisherman, guy at kafenio selling jam; small realities… It’s about community.”

Mèlisses’ is a true reflection of what Allegra loves, “it grows with me.. it’s about the flexibility of having a project that grows with you”.

Allegra is a true testament that you can create, while staying true to yourself, an authentic life, brand, and experience for yourself and others. That it’s ok to give yourself permission to let your brand mirror your growth, and evolve with you.

Visit Mèlisses’ website to learn more about the story and book a retreat or stay.

Photos were provided by Allegra. More beautiful photography can be found on both Allegra’s and Mèlisses’ Instagram.

Olivia x

How to be grounded after being a Nomad (finding an authentic base)

Saturday // July 8 // 2023

Living and working remotely was a dream of mine for a long time. If you’ve followed my journey the last several years, then you may have seen that I have been a bit of a Nomad. I’ve lived in Australia, England, Amsterdam, and the East and West Coast parts of the US.

This desire to travel and create a unique lifestyle started in 2015 when I traveled around Europe and witnessed a new way of living that felt aligned with my soul. Content, blogging, and traveling for a living started to become not just a pipe dream, but glimpses of a reality. I went back home to Australia and several months later launched a festival for creatives and entrepreneurs; #RadLivin. This grew into creating content for different brands and building strategy and communities for companies who are creating a positive impact. I combined a lot of my travels with video projects, filming in Greece, Finland, and London.

The more I traveled and said yes to new opportunities, took risks, and went into the unknown, the more I realized that as humans, we are constantly searching for balance. When we have one thing, we crave parts of the other. This desire for balance is something I’ve been looking at more closely; Wanting to expand and feel freedom, while deeply craving a sense of stability, consistent community, and a home base.

Having an adventurous, nomadic lifestyle for so long made it hard to figure out how to have a base. Traveling and being remote became the norm, and so the idea of living in one place moved into a different territory. Staying still felt like the risk; the unknown. I wanted to find all of the parts that I loved about travel in one location.

I knew that finding a base was something that I wanted and was ready for, because while I have a deep part of me that loves to explore the world, I also love to be cozy, curate spaces, and expand into surroundings. One or the other never seemed to fit quite right for me. I would travel for a couple months, and then get a little tired and burned out and wanted the complete opposite – a grounded home.

Whether you’ve been traveling, vanlifing, working remote, or curious what it would be like to find a home base that feels authentic and aligned for you, here are a few ways that you can make a shift.

1. Making the (mindset) shift.

You aren’t stuck. I thought that if I was based in one location that I would feel stagnant. That it needed to be one or the other. On the road and full-time traveling, or home. I thought I would lose the adventurous part of myself who loves meeting new people, exploring new places, and trying new lifestyles if I was to have a consistent home base.

I’ve found that having a base allows me to curate travel intentionally; to go to places that I feel called to whether for work or a personal adventure. It’s also allowed me to look at being in one place differently. The more I am in my home base, the more I want to explore it. There are so many neighborhoods, coffee shops, nature destinations in this area. I treat each week like a new little adventure and feel that sense of synchronicity in daily life. “Who will be at this coffee shop today? I wonder who I will meet.” Having a home base that you enjoy feels like expansion in a grounded and fulfilling way. Each week continues to evolve, I make more friends, feel more aligned and supported.

There’s something about being planted that allows life to bring things to you, rather than feeling like you need to go out and search for it.

2. It gives the space for your dreams to catch-up to you.

I believe that when you declare a dream, whether it’s out-loud or to yourself, life wants to bring it to you. When you move around a lot, and are chasing external adventures, although they can be beautiful, when you slow down and stay in one place it makes it easier for the things that you want to catch-up to you.

When I was traveling, I realized looking back that a lot of my favorite synergies and connections with people were in places that I didn’t book the night before, but months before. It was as if life knew that in order to connect me with different people, it needed some time to work out my schedule and their schedules, so that we were in the same place at the same time. Something at the time that felt like a quick synchronicity, may have taken a lot of behind the scenes work.

I also found that once I settle into a base, my nervous system gets the chance to settle as well. There is a lot of excitement and new energy around being somewhere completely unknown and different. Our nervous systems like to feel as grounded and safe as possible before going for big things. By having a home base and experiencing familiarity, our minds and bodies can relax. This allows energy for us to focus on creating. I will say, this can happen while traveling if you are feeling really grounded in yourself, moving at a slower pace and feeling a sense of peace and safety within. Physically not moving around a lot has allowed my body to ground into my space and feel capable of executing new ideas in a harmonious way.